Family

My little family has been quite the busy bees since my last post. But not to bore you with details of the last 3 1/2 years. We will hit some highlights.

Let's start with Steven, 17 - he is a Junior at Sequoyah High School, is in Marching Band, Symphony Band, Jazz Band - can you tell he loves music and band?  He plays trombone, is the section leader for trombones in Marching Band and is also first chair. He also just recently got his first job! He works at Brusters which is a local ice cream shop for those of you unaware of what that is. He has to taste all the ice creams so he knows what they taste like..tough job! He loves it and who could blame him!? He also attends seminary bright and early every morning. His days are longer than most of ours.

Sassy Sophia is just that..sassy. She is one of the funniest kids I have ever met and also one of the most energetic. She is doing gymnastics and goes to drama once a week - both of which are perfect for her. She is loving life and enjoying being the "baby" in the family. She also thinks she is in charge and we have a power struggle all the time but all in all she is a great kid. She will be doing cheerleading again in the fall as a couple of her buddies do that too and she did enjoy it last year..except for the sweating (she said that she really didn't like to sweat because girls weren't supposed to..who knew?!)

Kevin is still in school. After this semester, he has ONE class left..miracle of miracles! He is also talking about grad school, so we may be in it for quite a while longer. He lost his job last August which was a struggle - emotionally and financially - but we made it through and he found a job in November doing what he wants to do and is following the career path he wants to take now. So everything worked out as it should and we feel very blessed as he really didn't like his job anymore.  We also feel like it was all part of God's plan for us. He also gets to work from home 2 days a week and he has more flexiblity now than he ever did before and with being in school - this has been such a huge blessing!

As for me, I never went back to school. I feel like that was part of God's plan too. I am working part-time for a nonprofit and I work from home 3 days a week. I LOVE MY JOB! I love that I have flexiblility, I love the people I work with, I love the fact that I work for an organization that makes a difference in the world and I love that I get to be a small part of that. I am happy with where I am at with my career and I also love that I can be home for my kids when they need me. It is the best of both worlds. I can't complain about any of that. I also volunteer at Sophia's school with the PTA. I am the Boxtop Coordinator/Campbells Soup Labels etc. person. That has been fun..and it feels great bringing money into the school that way. I will be doing it again next year so wish me luck. This year wasn't so bad. I am also on the HOA board for the neighborhood as the Social Events Co-Chairperson. This will be my third year doing that. Planning events is something that I love to do so that is a great fit for me as well and I get to work with a great lady doing that. We always have a lot of fun! I have also been teaching the 8 & 9 year old girls at Activity days with church for the last year. This is only twice a month and they can be a lot of fun too. A bit of a handful at times but fun for the most part. And lastly..I have gotten into doing yoga. I love it! It helps me in so many ways and I always look forward to going to class. I love the serenity, the stretching of your mind, spirit and body AND I feel better afterward. Who could ask for more than that??

So that is a brief synopsis of what we are doing and have been up to more or less. I am looking forward to posting more. :)

Feeling Inspired...

I have honestly lost interest in so many things yet find myself coming back to it with inspiration from others. This is a good thing..I think. :) This blog is one of those things. It has been YEARS since I have put anything out here for reasons that aren't important now. I did really enjoyed it before..I hope it lasts more than a few moments this time around. I am looking forward to new beginnings.

Life always throws a curve ball..

Well - what is that saying "life happens when you are busy making plans" - something like that. Since my last post - most of the stuff we had planned on worked out but I have since been hit with a curve ball or a couple - funny how it happened to me mostly..

Steven is in High School - woohoo! He likes it, he likes the ladies too, the band is good - he has gone to band camp and they have learned 3 out of the 4 songs for the marching band program. He is really happy about that. He is going to seminary every morning to his dismay. But all in all he is doing well.

Sophia is going to a different school, Discovery Point. The other school we wanted didn't get funding and at the last minute we found out so we were scrambing to get into another school. Two days later we got the call and fortunately this school is closer than the other one so it all worked out. Her teachers are great and she is being a really good helper in school. She pays attention and wants to make sure her teachers know she is paying attention. Too cute!

Kevin starts back to school today, 8/17/09. He is taking 3 classes at KSU. One of which is online but the others are during the week. MTWTH. Fun!

I, Angie, am not doing what I had planned. I am very disappointed and annoyed by the whole thing but my time will come. I must be patient. I had my classes scheduled for the longest time. I had my financial aid paperwork filled out (to my knowledge) then found out 1 1/2 weeks ago that I didn't have the CORRECT paperwork filled out. Nice! I instantly filled out the right paperwork and was told to go ahead and pay for classes. So I took my trusty Visa card to the computer to take care of that business because I would be reimbursed. Needless to say - KSU doesn't take Visa - who doesn't take Visa??????? Seriously. I threw the card on the desk and walked away. This was Sunday. Monday my paperwork had gone through but would probably take a few weeks. My classes ended up dropping on Monday because of non-payment but on Tuesday - on a whim - I check my financial aid - I had gotten my award... Yay, right? Wrong! I couldn't get back in one of my classes because now it was full. I needed 2 classes to be part-time which is required by the financial aid. Rock meet me meet hardplace. One class scheduled but can't take it because of financial aid requirements.. School is not in my immediate future. :( But I will not give up hope. Everything happens for a reason. I will live! :) I have started writing, so that is good. I am working on 2 chapters simultaneously. If anything, this has pushed me in that direction and to go look for a job/job. Hopefully everything will work out how it is supposed. I am getting really tired of where I am at right now - emotionally, physically, mentally. Time for change, please!

Seek Wisdom!

Wow - here we go again! Lot of things going on in our lives right now. Most of which involve school - getting into school, registering for school, getting ready for a new school, preparing for classes etc. There is a whole lot of learning going on at our house or will be shortly!

Kevin is still at Kennesaw and is planning to go this summer for a month - one long month! 4 days a week for 2.75 hrs a day - fun for both of us - especially with our schedules right now. Then back to the regularly scheduled semester in the Fall.

Steven is taking a small hiatus with Grandpa starting Saturday. They will be travelling all over the place camping, fishing and basically having a relaxing summer vacation. Yay for him!! He starts High school in a couple of months - wow, WOW, WOW!!!!!!! I am too young for this - at least in my mind. He also has band camp this summer - no band camp jokes please - we can't help ourselves though - "this one time at band camp...". He is growing up so fast - it is almost hard to recognize him under the big boy exterior and muscles.

Sophia will be home with mom this summer, hopefully working on being a good little girl. We have to look for some things to do to keep her busy. So far, we are doing the summer reading program through the library. Maybe we can find some other activities that will keep us both busy as big brother has his own things to do. She will start Pre-K in the Fall at Primrose - they have applied for the GA Lottery Pre-K program and we are on the list of students in the class! We are waiting to hear if they have been approved and then her adventure will begin.

I am gearing up to start school in the Fall - yep - I said it! Back to school for a couple of years if all goes as planned. I believe I have figured out what I want to do when I grow up - miracle of miracles! It just took 35 years!! Some people think I am crazy - I don't really care. This was one of those things that hits you like a ton of bricks - an "ah ha!" moment. So yes, I will be joining the ranks of student once again. This time in a new direction - one that should bring joy and happiness (flowery music is playing in the background) but seriously I am excited about what the future holds. I will post more as I know more. I am trying to get my classes scheduled and it has been a bit of a chore but if memory serves that is the norm. I have felt like I have been in a holding pattern lately. Not anymore!

So apparently we are all ready to learn something new! How about you?

Stop the ride!! It is going Too fast! :)

Well folks, it seems that December slipped through my hot little hands. Christmas was fun and incredibly busy. I wanted to enjoy it more but alas, it was not to be this year. I can hardly believe that we are more than halfway through January. It has been very busy and we have had our share (already) of ups and downs. Seriously - it is just the first month of this New Year!

Steven has made the Middle School soccer team - we are all excited for him - him especially. He tried out last year and didn't make it but this year he was on and made it. He also turned 14 the day after Christmas. That freaks me out - a lot! He is able to go to the church dances (if he wants to) and moves up in church with the older boys. He never talks about girls so I asked him if he likes girls?? It seemed a valid question. He looks at me intensely and says "I LOVE girls." LOL I about fell out laughing but I tried to contain myself. This was good information to me. So I left it alone. I have already picked out his future wife and have joked with him about it - how they would make the perfect couple - I think this young lady makes him nervous. :) It is really cute. He has plenty of time before he needs to start thinking about all that nonsense so I am not bringing it up again for a really long time. :) He enjoyed Christmas - he got a BMX bike and has been trying new tricks on it. It keeps him busy. We measured him last week and he is 5'6" tall now. He looks so grown and his voice has pretty much changed. When I look at him it is hard to remember the cute little boy who used to run around all the time. I get tears in my eyes at how I will never get that back but he has grown into such a handsome, amazing, caring, sweet young man it makes that seem unimportant. When he goes off to college and hopefully a mission I wonder if I will feel like my job is done? I guess I don't have that much time left to find that out. Time certainly slips through your fingers.

Our Sophia is a busy little girl. So curious and strong-willed - complete mind of her own. She doesn't hear no - ever! It is yes to her - no matter what. We are trying to instill - please, thank you, yes ma'am, no ma'am etc. Time out is where she hangs out. She is an artist and our walls, furniture, and anything else she gets her hands on are her canvas. Frustration is a state of mind for me with her. We are similar yet different. I think I was a little less of a young rebel - more of an older rebel. Maybe this is the worst it will get and we can mold from here??? We are praying that will be the case. I am thinking that is wishful thinking. :) She loved Christmas though - she got her beloved Cupcake maker and the slippers she asked for as well as a bunch of other stuff. She said it was the "BEST CHRISTMAS EVER!" Her facial expressions were priceless. I need to post some pictures.

Kevin started back to school last week. He is taking 3 classes this semester - one Management class and two IT classes. Needless to say I won't be seeing him on Monday, Tuesday and for a few minutes on Wednesday. He has 16 classes left after this semester. Our goal/his goal is to finish before Steven starts. I think that is do-able. He was on vacation last week and was trying to earn the Husband of the Year award. I think he may have succeeded. He cleaned bathrooms, cleaned our carpets, did laundry, dishes, made dinner a few nights and let me sleep plus he did a lot of the running around picking up and dropping off children, grocery store runs, bank runs, etc. He is amazing. I feel blessed to have him in my life on a daily basis. I don't know what I would do without him.

I have been having a hard time lately. We had a pregnancy scare which freaked us out - we don't want anymore children so it made us come to that realization pretty quickly. I believe it was a miscarriage but it was so early it was hard to tell. I am not upset about it - maybe more grateful. I really think our family is complete but you never know. We have decided to take matters into our own hands so I am getting my tubes tied next month (so Lord if you feel it is in our best interest to have another child you have a few more weeks to make that happen). I will be 36 this year and feel too old to be having anymore kids plus the last pregnancy nearly did me in with the whole uterus pulling apart and nearly dying thing. They said it was safe to have another one (after they did some tests) but it would be incredibly high risk. I am thinking "No thank you!" They are also going to do another procedure that will freeze my uterus. One of my friends joked with me about freezing my vagina. I thought that was funny. How uncomfortable would that be?? I am sure my husband wouldn't come near me. The frozen tundra... Anyway...I am told it is safe and better than having a hysterectomy. I say "Bring it on!" Pray that all goes well. It will happen on February 9th. I have also been busy looking for a job. I am sending out resumes but not as frequently because this procedure has a week recovery period.

I will try to be better at updating this - hopefully with pictures next time. I love pictures. :)

Revelations..and more. :)

It has been awhile since I have posted. Not for lack of want for certain. I started doing a daily paper route on top of the other 2 day route. Needless to say it leaves me tired, cranky, sore and a few other choice words... I didn't mind it too much at first. I kind of liked it, but this week has taken a toll on me - my hand keeps going numb, I have knots on my knots on my back and the list goes on - everything points to me finding a real day job and stop hiding in the wee hours in my car, driving and delivering the daily news (aka commie rag as one of my co-workers has coined it - he is a little nuts). I will probably wait until after the holidays to start looking hard core. I have learned a lot this year about myself - not all of it great but I am working on everything and hopefully that is all that matters.


On a lighter note, I think my daughter really does want to be a doctor. I found her yesterday at the landing of the stairs bandaging Bugs Bunny. Aparently he had quite a spill. :) She had taken a new package of gauze, band-aids and scissors and went to work on poor Bugs. She doesn't mind the sight of blood and isn't sqeamish when she gets hurt.. Who knows right??

Steven has been busy with his friends and playing video games. He did participate in a band concert before school let out for the Thanksgiving break. I was disappointed I couldn't attend but Kevin went and he said they did really well. If I can figure out how to tape or record him playing a song I will do that. Don't hold your breath though. :) Here is his school picture - it came out so good! He is so handsome! I keep hearing how he looks like his uncle Brady. They certainly sound the same and have a similar sense of humor sometimes.

Kevin is really being an angel for me - I am not sure what I would do without him. Life as I know it would be difficult. He helps me so much - I am eternally grateful to him for everything he does and all the help he gives me. Today he started laundry and prepared dinner for us. We surprised him with putting up the Christmas tree this year - he usually has that job - it is pretty tedious. My dad helped bring it up from the basement and put it together. Then my wonderful children surprised us both by decorating it while I took a nap. They did a phenomenal job! Just like I would do but better because they saved me the time and trouble. It only lacks bows and that is my job and filling of the bare spots. No big deal - I love my family!!!

My dad came for a visit for Thanksgiving - it has been quite a while since we had seen him. We had a great visit albeit short but we enjoyed his company and I think he really enjoyed seeing the grandkids. We need to visit each other more often. I am such a slacker - I didn't get a picture of him while he was here! Ugh! Next time I will do better. He did come to church with us on Sunday and that was pretty special for me. I don't remember the last time dad came to church with me. Too many years I am sure.

Tagged....

Okay - I really don't know how to link to Jennifer's Blog... I am not sure how to do that... hopefully I will figure that out soon. :)

Random weird facts:

1. I have OCD when it comes to my hands and feet. Ridiculous amounts of hand washing and feet cleaning - I can just feel the dirt and it makes me crazy. But I have no problem having newspaper ink all over my hands - go figure.

2. I also have ADD - not officially diagnosed - but I get bored easily and have to change what I am doing constantly or I feel like I am going to explode. Very strange feeling - lots of neurosis going on here.

3. I love to try new things all the time - I get bored - so I try new things to keep me interested. Plus, I am always trying to find out what I am good at.

4. I hate to eat cold food especially if I have just made it and no one is listening to me when I say dinner is ready!

5. I have nightmares and strange dreams all the time about people I don't know and places I have never been. I am not really sure why and they don't make sense.

6. I am a pack rat but I am trying to cure myself of that. Baby steps. (Does that movie 'What about Bob?' come to mind?)

7. I secretly want to be a novelist. Some day I will actually work on one of the books I have started and actually finish one. :)

Tagged - Rachel, Kathleen, Erica, Sarah, Sara